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The Mixim has compact electric motors powering both axles which helps it adopt the unconventional package of central driving position flanked by two passengers set slightly rearward - similar to the BMW Z13 of 1994 and McLaren F1 except for there also being a small rear seat behind the driver. This diamond seating configuration allows for a wrap-around front windscreen which then continues graphically rearwards to a sharp point. Above this DLO is an upper window element that runs along another surface that grows rearwards from the A-pillar. This arrangement is perhaps the Mixim's strongest design innovation and results in a rear aspect with not just an upper roof and two side surfaces, but with these and two further facets.
The rear of the car is possibly the most resolved part of the car with well integrated lights, glazing and body. The front is a little busy with 'crushed ice' shallow headlamps and a pair of diamond shaped driving lights on either side - a motif that is picked up again on the trailing edge of the side doors. This busyness, along with the fluid-formed technology-laden interior, belies the Mixim's Japanese origins - it was designed in the main Nissan Tokyo studio.
The premise behind the Mixim is to demonstrate Nissan's commitment to producing a similar sized electric vehicle and show how such a car might be conceived as a compact dynamic coupe to appeal to young car buyers. With the Toyota IQ concept and Volkswagen Up! also debuting at Frankfurt, both also very small concept cars with strong environmental credentials but both closer to production reality, it seems likely that a more production-orientated concept car will soon follow the Mixim.
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This is the second time Suzuki and GM have teamed up to offer an entry-level model in Europe, although the outgoing box-shaped Agila/Wagon-R was woefully unsuccessful and appealed solely to pensioners on a very tight budget. This new model is far more promising and, although few details were available, is due to go on sale in spring 2008. The differences between the two versions are deeper than before, with more links to the design language of each brand and every part forward of the A-pillar being unique for each car. This extra commitment and the younger-feeling design should go some way to ensuring that this model should sell in much greater numbers than before too.
The Agila has a typical Opel front end with an alert, wide-eyed face and large upper grille. At the rear, the tailgate has a vee-form to the glass and a neat integrated Opel logo/handle and license plate low down in the bumper. The Suzuki has a more orthodox front end, with a split upper and lower main grille and squared-off headlamps. The rear features a unique bumper and tailgate with a straight line to the rear glass and the license plate frame housed in a conventional recess.
The Agila/Splash has a solid stance with a dynamic beltline and DLO that gives it a youthful, upbeat look. In terms of size, the car has grown somewhat but offers a very spacious interior that spans many A- and B-segment cars. Shorter and taller than an Opel Corsa, the Agila offers more rear kneeroom than its bigger brother, although the trunk is notably smaller.
Interiors on the two cars are identical with the exception of small details and seat fabrics, although top versions of the Opel will feature trendy materials such as leather, Alcantara, and metallic-look fabrics, along with high-contrast blue or orange interiors (as on the Corsa). In all, the Splash is a decent Suzuki and the Agila sits much better in Opel's new model line-up.
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It's a little hard to understand the thinking behind this concept, given that Renault are launching the production Kangoo on the same stand, directly adjacent. This two-door concept looks like the kind of car a small child would draw and indeed, the whole car does feel as though it was drawn with a very thick pen, with heavy detailing such as the massive A-pillars and the chunky 19-inch wheels with tall tires. The latter elements make the concept's wheelbase look too small - as though there's a bit in the middle missing - as if it was pictured in the centerfold in a magazine.
Graphically, the car is split into two areas: the upright sides are orange, with a center strip of glass running over the roof, and both ends finished in brushed aluminum. Another interesting detail is the lower door feature line that loops down at either end before lifting up into the wheelarches - a playful touch that suits the nature of the car.
There's a lot of glass used, with a big panoramic screen, no front header and a notably tall side glass, with the rounded DLO shape reminiscent of the Ellypse concept of 2002. The rear roof glass slides forward and the rear window drops into the tailgate, to give a totally open rear end, as on a pick-up.
The interior continues the orange, aluminum and blue theme and features a rear seat that spins around to act as a picnic bench in the trunk with two pairs of rollerblades housed in the drop-down tailgate. Translucent acrylic is used on the door inserts with a random crescent pattern. Translucent plastic also features in the road wheel spokes, with a blue tinge to them.
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